The only Buddhist nation on earth is also the only country in the world that measures its success in terms of ‘Gross National Happiness’. Bhutan has some of the highest peaks on the planet, where unique and welcoming monasteries cling to cliff faces, and is both culturally fascinating and an outdoor recreational wonderland for hikers and mountain trekkers to explore. It’s also one of the least-visited non-hostile nations on earth, because it has been very careful about tourism development: to avoid sprawl and over-development. Guided by the policy of high value and low impact, Bhutan requires visitors to have fully planned itineraries before arrival with minimum required daily spending for easy exploration. Accessible only from Thailand, India, and Nepal, ‘The Land of The Thunder Dragon’ is one of the most unique individual places on earth, physically and culturally. The national Geographic Adventure Magazine listed Bhutan as one of the top adventure destinations in 2010, so did the Wanderlust Magazine, which has repeatedly rated and proclaimed as a ‘Top Country’. Bhutan scored highest at the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2009 in two categories: To Country/Destination and Top worldwide airport. The Paro International Airport was listed as number 2 on the list of 10 Top Airports worldwide. Bhutan also received the award of “Most Refreshing Tour” in the 25th ITE (International Travel Expo), Hongkong in June 2011. Similarly, Bhutan was awarded the “New Promising Destination Award” by Fairfest Media in 2012. Over the years Bhutan has won numerous other awards as well. In the immediate past, after its first hosting in 2012 in Paro, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) hosted the International Tourism Mart from February 4, 2015, to February 6, 2015, in Thimphu for the second time substantiates the country's growing reputation as one of the world's sought-after travel destinations. PATA is an association working to promote responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. There could not be a stronger testament to the fact that Bhutan is a very coveted destination, indeed.

Special attention to the international tourists visiting Bhutan:

No SDF will be applicable for the tourists visiting Mongar, Samdrupjongkhar, Lhuentse, Trashiyangtse, Trashigang and Pemagatshel from November 16, 2017, to November 15, 2020.

The exemption of royalty will be implemented for three years.

SDF is a fee of USD 65 levied per person per night halt. The amount is included in the minimum daily package rate (MDPR), which is the minimum amount that has to be paid per person per night halt.

With the exemption, the international tourist visiting the six eastern dzongkhags will now have to pay only USD 135 during the lean season and USD 185 during the peak season.

International leisure tourists staying overnight or longer in the eastern circuit are eligible for SDF wavier. The total amount to be waved off will be calculated based on the duration of stay in the eastern circuit.

Attention: Regional tourists from Bangladesh, Maldives, and India

We can now help you to obtain entry with route permits online. Tourism Council of Bhutan has launched the Online Permit System to facilitate the smooth visitations of the regional tourists. this will avoid hassle of having to fall in before your turn comes to get the permit from the immigration office at the border gates of Phuentsholing or Samdrup Jongkhar or at the Paro airport. if you use the online permit system, you will get your permits even before you come to Bhutan like visas for the dollar-paying tourists. hope you will take advantage of this new system and avail the service from us.